"Sicily holds the answers to many things concerning the main story in the U.S. The feeling that we HAVE RETURNED TO ROOTS that lead us to all the major issues of the book."

"Apollonia: her incredible beauty. Must use a sixteen year old. Like Stefana Sandrelli." PITFALL: "If Appolonia doesn't make your heart stop just to look at her."

Description of Appolonia to Vitelli played as a comedy routine.

"I like the feeling that all of this; the courtship, the marriage, is the same as it might have been a thousand years ago."

"MUSIC THROUGHOUT? This intire sequence from the time she says Grazia, could be handled without dialogue; the ritual of courtship; the numerous times he comes to see her; the time she appears with the necklace; the preparations for the wedding; the Wedding itself, no different than if it had taken place a thousand years ago. NO words are necessary; only MUSIC."

"Then, after the wedding; the wedding night, might be done all in silence."

"The Big Scene": the wedding night.

"bullshit about virginity"